Industrial History
For those interested in discovering something about the industrial past within and around the Wyre Forest area and beyond.
The group meets once a month, usually on the second Friday, at 10.00am, unless otherwise stated.
Meetings in Winter are usually at The Community Church, Chestnut Grove, DY11 5QA Franche. The rest of the year generally takes the form of visits to a place of industrial historical and contemporary interest - mostly half day visits but a few full day outings.
Our "at home" meetings are generally led by members who have wide ranging interests and fascinating insights into the wide subject that is our Industrial History.
Proposed visits in 2020 include the Morgan Factory, Blaenavon Big Pit, Amazon "Fulfilment Centre" , Rugeley, Bristol Aerospace Museum, the JCB works and Soho House. For some longer trips we are lucky to have the use of a minibus.
Due to the pandemic restrictions we anticipate that most of the meetings for this year will be cancelled or postponed.
From April the group are "meeting" twice a month, on the second and 4th Friday of the month, via Zoom. Members will receive an email invitation a couple of days prior to the meeting. Anyone unsure of the technology is welcome to call Sue on 07776 200006. These meetings will either be lead by one of our members or comprise a film about an aspect of industrial history. We will also be staying in touch via an occasional newsletter.
For further information, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Industrial History Programme - 2020
Programme 2020
At present we are holding meetings on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month via Zoom. Members get an invitation a couple of days before to join us at 10 am. Anyone who wishes to join the group is very welcome- please email to ask to be added to the invitation list. Sue: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fri 10th July 10:00am Railway Architecture: A look at Viaducts on the Mallaig extension and Calstock viaduct followed by a film to include Malvern Railway station.
Fri 24th July Radium Needles, presented by Ralph.
14th August tbd
Industrial History Programme - 2019
| Friday 11th January | Willow Court, Franche 10-12 am | History of Toothpaste Manufacturing and the first proposed underground rail link to Paris |
| Fri 8th February | Willow Court, Franche, 10-12am | Members contributions: bring an item, a book, a location or story on any Industrial History theme which interests you: 5-10 mins max. |
| Fri 8th March | Willow Court, Franche, 10-12:00 | S Staffs mine drainage: Severn Trows |
| Fri 12th April | Environsort, Norton Worcester 10:00am | Visit to the recycling centre for Worcs. Free. Meet there or 9:00am Broadwaters to share transport |
| WED 8th May | SVR Engine sheds Bridgnorth 12:00 | Tour of behind the scenes at SVR Engineering. Meet there or 11:15 Broadwaters for car sharing |
| Fri 14th June | Gloucester Docks and the 'Hereford Bull' | All day visit by minibus. Transport cost £10. 8:00am at Broadwaters CP |
| Fri 12th July | The Potteries | All day visit by minibus to the Stoke area. Transport cost £10. 9:00am at Broadwaters CP |
| Fri 13th Sept | Guided walk around Bewdley Industries | 10:30 at Bewdley Museum Approx 1.5hrs. 10:00 at Broadwaters to car share.Approx cost £4:50 ph |
| Fri Oct 11th | Franche Community Church DY11 5QA | Member's talk on "The World's 1st Underground Railway" |
| Fri Nov 8th | Hobsons Brewery Cleobury Mortimer 12:30-3:30 | Tour of Brewery with Ploughmans lunch and 'samples'! Cost £15 Members transport. Car share |
| Fri 13th Dec |
Planning meeting and sharing of "I didn't know that!" based loosely on Industrial History Franche Community Church 10:00am |
Using members ideas and experience to plan the next year.
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Industrial History Programme - 2018
| 12/1/18 | Talks on Cumbrian Industry and Electric Tram Stud System |
10-12 Willow Court, Franche |
| 9/2/18 | Film on the Ironbridge: talk on "Cutting" |
10-12 Willow Court, Franche |
| 9/3/18 | Industrial Archaeology investigation near Dowles Brook. Wellies and waterproofs! | Meet at Car Park 10 am |
| 13/4/18 | Tour Abberley Clock Tower and Hall | 9;30 at Broadwaters to car share, 10:30 at Hall |
| 11/5/18 | Dudley Canal Museum and Boat trip | Canal Museum: |
| 8/6/18 | Charlecote Flour Mill:tour by miller | CV35 8BB |
| 13/7/18 | The Blorenge, S Wales :Day trip | Minibus booked |
| 10/8/18 | TBA- if any! | |
| 13/9/18 | John Taylor Bell Foundry: Day Trip | NOTE-now Thursday |
| 12/10/18 | Shelsey Mill | TBA |
| 8/11/18 |
Gun Barrel Proof House NB This is a Thursday Talk and Tour |
£15ph, max 10 10-1:30 incl coffee |
| 14/12/18 | Planning Meeting and Quiz | Willow Court, Franche 10-12 |
Industrial History Programme - 2017
| 13th January 2017 |
Planning the 2017 programme Willow Court Community Room, Franche Kidderminster DY11 5AU From 10.00am to 12.noon |
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| 10th February 2017 |
Members' presentations Standardising mass production methods - based on the production of the Springfield rifle - Mike Cutler Coal mining - Alan Williams and Tom Elliott Willow Court Community Room, Franche, Kidderminster, DY11 5AU From 10.00am to 12 noon |
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| 10th March 2017 |
Birmingham Museum Storage Collection Leave Kidderminster Railway Station at 9.30am Cost of visit TBC |
Report |
| 14th April 2017 |
Knowles Mill, Dowles Brook, near Bewdley (postponed) There is a three-quarter mile walk to and from the mill on uneven surface Led by Tom Elliott (POSTPONED) |
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| 12th May 2017 |
Snailbeach Mine near Minsterley, Shropshire Car sharing - leave Kidderminster at 9.30am Cost of visit TBC |
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6th June 2017 NB TUESDAY |
Hereford Waterworks Museum (TBC) Car sharing - leave Kidderminster at 9.30am Cost of visit TBC |
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| 14th July 2017 |
The Davis Collection of Industrial and Agricultural Vehicles, Redditch (this will take place later in the year - TBC)
Knowles Mill, Dowles Brook, near Bewdley There is a three-quarter mile walk to and from the mill on uneven surface Led by Tom Elliott
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| 11th August 2017 |
No Meeting |
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| 8th September 2017 |
Coleham Pumping Station, Shrewsbury, SY3 7DN: 2:00pm Chance to see engines in steam Car sharing - leave Kidderminster 12:30: meet Broadwaters Car Park for car sharing. NB. Limited car park at site, on road parking nearby. Cost of visit £3pp, minimum 10 people. |
Report |
| 13th October 2017 |
Worcester Cathedral Roof Space Cost of visit £6 pp. |
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| 10th November 2017 |
Bradley Workshop A chance to visit the Canal & River Trust workshop where they make and repair lock gates. Travel details to follow |
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| 8th December 2017 |
Programme arrangements might change, so please check the website for details
Industrial History Programme - 2016
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8th January Willow Court Room |
Glimpses of industrial history in and around the Wyre Forest Mike Carter |
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12th February Willow Court Room 10.00 am to 12 noon |
Sugar and Salt Discovering something about the histories of the once local sugar and salt industries of Kidderminster and Droitwich Contributions from members |
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11th March |
Walsall Leather Museum |
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8th April |
Newman Brothers Coffin Works, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham |
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13th May |
The Blorenge industrial area, near Abergavenny - (This visit will now take place during the summer - date to be arranged) (A day visit) Visit to Drakelow Tunnels with Social History Group (Leader Janice Evans)
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10th June |
Churchill Forge, near Blakedown, Kidderminster |
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8th July |
Daniels Mill, near Bridgnorth Meet at the mill for 10.30am |
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12th August |
Cancelled |
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28th September |
Dudley Tunnel - an extended tour (6 hours) through the Dudley and Netherton tunnels Joint visit with the Geology Group - a day visit (Booking essential) Cancelled - insufficient numbers |
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14th October Willow Court Room 10.00am - 12.00noon |
A history of measurement David Strucket Please note change of date |
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11th November |
Members' projects |
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9th December Willow Court Room |
Planning the 2017 programme Cancelled |
Programme arrangements might change, so please check the website for details
Industrial History Programme - 2015
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30th January |
Members' Projects - starter session - with Alan Yates (For further informationcontact Mike Carter This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) |
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13th February |
The mechanics of spinning and weaving at Kidderminster Museum of Carpet (from 10.30 - 1.00pm - £6 per person) |
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13th March |
A History of Boats and the River Severn - a talk by David Struckett |
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10th April |
A visit to a local carpet factory (TBC) |
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8th May |
The Jewellery Quarter, Pen Museum and Assay Office in Birmingham (TBC) |
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14th June |
Waterworks Museum, Hereford (NB - this is a Sunday visit in order to see machines in steam)
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10th July |
The Birmingham Museum Collections Centre |
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August |
No meeting | |
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28th September |
A visit to the SVR loco shed in Bridgnorth Please note change of day and date |
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9th October |
A Project Day 'Weave and Design' at Kidderminster Museum of Carpet Postponed - to be rearranged |
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| 13th November |
Members' projects - an opportunity to share and exchange information. Willow Court Room, Wilton Avenue, Franche, Kidderminster DY11 5AU at 10.00am Cost per person £2 including refreshments |
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11th December |
Planning the 2016 programme |
Programme arrangements might change, please check the website for details
Industrial History Programme - 2014
| 10th January |
Gunpowder Making - talk by Sue and Mike Cutler The Lock Inn, Wolverley at 2.00pm |
Report |
| 14th February |
Chain making - talk by John Gill The Lock Inn, Wolverley at 2.00pm |
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| 14th March |
Worcester Porcelain visit 11.00am. Meet at Broadwtares car park at 10.00am |
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| 13th April |
The Davis Collection of Industrial and Agricultural Vehicles, Redditch (TBC)
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| 21st May |
Redditch Needle Mill Please note change of date for this visit |
Report |
| 13th June |
Day visit to the Victorian Village, Ironbridge Gorge Museum - a guided tour |
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| 11th July |
The industrial history of Bewdley - a guided tour of exhibits at Bewdley Museum, with demonstrations |
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| August |
No meeting |
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| 12th September |
The industrial history of Worcester Cathedral - a guided tour by Chris Guy, Cathedral Archaeologist Health warning! A lot of climbing up spiral stairs, along narrow passageways, over uneven surfaces. |
Report |
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Report of a joint visit with the Geology group to Snailbeach Mines, Shropshire |
Report | |
| 21st November |
Industrialising carpet making A guided talk by Melvyn Thompson at The Museum of Carpet, Kidderminster (£6 per person inc refreshments) |
Report |
| 12th December |
General meeting - planning the 2015 programme Kidderminster Baptist Church, Franche Road, Kidderminster at 2.00 pm |
Industrial History Programme - 2013
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26th February |
Kidderminster Museum of Carpet An excellent starting point for anyone interested in gaining practical awareness of local industrial history |
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8th March |
Bewdley's Lost Industries Using a history trail devised by Fenella Flack and produced by The Bewdley Historical Group, The Bewdley Museum and Kenneth Hobson |
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| 5th April |
Iron Manufacturing A talk given by Rick Jarvis |
Report |
| 7th April |
Davis Collection A visit to the Davis collection of civil engineering and agricultural vehicles |
Report |
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12th April |
Churchill Forge A visit to one of over 100 mills that used to function within the area during the 17th to 19th centuriues and that made use of the local river system that feeds into the River Stour. |
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10th May
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Daniels Mill, Bridgnorth A visit to a fully functioning corn mill powered by the largest working iron waterwheel in England |
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14th June |
The History of the Stourport Canal Basin A guided tour of one of the busiest canal - river ports on the Staffordshire - Worcestershire canal during the late 18th and early 19th century |
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| 11th October |
Shelsley Water Mill, Shelsley Walsh A restored, working watermill, with wooden machinery, cast iron waterwheel and belt-driven farming machinery. |
Report |
| 8th November |
Red House Glass Cone, Dudley Guided visit, with glass blowing demonstration. |
Report |
| 18th December |
Bronze casting |
Report |